>>m 


FROM  THE  LIBRARY  OF 
REV.   LOUIS    FITZGERALD    BENSON.  D.  D. 


BEQUEATHED   BY   HIM   TO 

THE   LIBRARY  OF 

PRINCETON  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY 


i/ 


r^ 


DISCOURSE, 


AT  A  PUBLIC  MEETING  OF  THE 


SINGERS 


IN   THE 


NORTH    PARISH   IN  WRENTHAM, 


13th  MAY,  1817. 


PUBLISHED  AT  THEIR  REftUEST. 


y 


By  THOMAS  WILLIAMS, 

Pastor  of  the  Church  in  Foxborougbr 


DEDHAM : 

ABEL    D.    ALLKYNE,    PRINTER. 
1817. 


y  )   ^ 


DISCOURSE. 


PSALM  CXLVII.  1, 


Praise  ye  tJie  Lord  ;  for  ii  is  good  to  sing  praises  unto  our  Ood  ; 
for  it  is  pleasant  ;  and  praise  is  comely. 

^Allow  me  to  make  the  songs  of  a  nation,  said 
a  wise  man  ;  and  who  will  may  make  their  laws.'' 
The  wisdom  of  this  sentiment  appears  to  be  confirmed 
by  divine  authority.  For  the  inspired  servants  of 
God  have  been  moved,  by  the  Holy  Spirit,  to  com- 
pose psalms  and  hymns  and  sacred  songs.  A  large 
portion  of  the  Holy  Scriptures  consists  of  such  poet- 
ical compositions.  These  divine  poems  were  design- 
ed to  be  sung  by  the  people  of  God  in  their  public 
and  private  devotions.  David,  ^Uhe  sweet  psalmist 
of  Israel,"  employed  his  noble  powers  and  expressed 
his  holy  affections,  in  singing  as  well  as  in  composing 
sacred  songs.  Wliile  he  was  king  over  Israel,  he 
appointed  a  large  number  of  persons,  who  were 
instructed  in  poetry  and  music,  to  lead  in  singing  the 
high  praises  of  God  in  the  solemn  assembly  of  his 
people.  And  he  constantly  laboured,  both  by  in- 
struction and  example,  to  perpetuate  the  praises  of 


God  during  successive  generations.  The  important 
and  pleasant  duty  of  singing  praises  to  God  he  en- 
forces upon  all  persons,  in  the  words  of  our  text. 
He  says,  "  Praise  ye  the  Lord  ;  for  it  is  good  to  sing 
praises  unto  our  God ;  for  it  is  pleasant ;  and  praise 
is  comely.'^  The  duty,  which  is  enjoined  in  these 
words,  is  not  limited  to  any  number,  nor  to  any  class 
of  persons.  But  it  is  as  extensive  in  its  application, 
as  any  of  the  instructions  or  requirements  of  divine 
revelation.  The  words  of  our  text,  then,  place  be- 
fore us  the  following  sentiment — It  is  the  duty  of  all 
persons  to  sing  praises  unto  God. 

To  illustrate  this  sentiment  it  is  proposed, 

I.  To  enquire  what  is  necessary,  in  order  to  sing 
the  praises  of  God  with  propriety  ;  and, 

II.  To  show  why  all  persons  ought  to  perform  this 
important  and  pleasant  duty.     It  is  proposed, 

I.  To  enquire  what  is  necessary,  in  order  to  sing 
the  praises  of  God  with  propriety. 

Incorrect  reading  and  improper  speaking  are  very 
painful  and  tedious  to  persons,  who  have  knowledge 
and  taste  respecting  these  subjects.  But  incorrect 
and  improper  singing,  in  the  public  worship  of  God, 
is  far  more  painful  and  tedious.  To  perform  this  im- 
portant duty,  with  the  highest  propriety,  requires  no 
small  degree  of  attention  and  knowledge,  of  judgment 
and  taste.  To  every  judicious  person  it  must  be  vei^y 
obvious,  that  something  more  than  an  ignorant, 
thoughtless  and  stupid  use  of  the  vocal  powers  is  ne- 
cessary, in  order  to  sing  the  high  praises  of  God  in 
a  proper,  decent  and  devout  manner.  And  here  it 
may  be  observed^ 


1.  That  in  order  to  sins;  praises  unto  God  with  pro- 
priety, it  is  necessary  to  Jiave  a  kno\vled«;e  ot*  sacred 
music.  Music  is  a  science  as  well  as  an  art.  Hence 
its  fundamental  principles  admit  of  real  knowledge  ; 
and  not  merely  of  notions  and  opinions.  And  no 
person  is  prepared  to  perform  the  duty  of  sacred  sing, 
ing  with  propriety,  in  any  greater  degree  than  he  has 
acquired  a  knowledge  of  sacred  music.  It  is  not  ne- 
cessary, that  a  person  should  possess  a  knowledge 
of  the  scientific  principles  of  harmony,  in  order  to 
know  and  practise  the  art  of  singing.  But  the  art  of 
music  must  he  studied  and  learnt,  before  a  person 
can,  with  any  propriety,  attempt  to  sing  praises  unto 
God  in  his  public  worship.  Some  knowledge  of  sa- 
cred music  any  person  may  acquire  with  a  small  de- 
gree of  attention.  And  if  no  person  would  attempt 
to  practise,  beyond  his  knowledge,  in  singing  praises 
unto  God,  little  evil  would  be  done.  But  it  is  cer- 
tainly improper  for  persons  to  presume,  in  their  opin- 
ions and  conduct  respecting  the  high  praises  of  the 
most  high  God,  beyond  tlieir  knowledge  of  sacred 
music.  If  every  person,  who  is  concerned  in  sacred 
singing,  would  acquire  a  correct  knowledge  of  psalm- 
ody, what  is  decent  and  devout  in  this  important  and 
delightful  service  would  never  be  condemned ;  and 
what  is  iudecent  and  profane  would  never  be  approved. 
But  through  prevailing  inattention  and  ignorance  res- 
pecting the  proper  design  and  performance  of  psalm- 
ody, the  most  painful  and  pernicious  abuse  and  per- 
version, in  this  part  of  divine  worship,  have  not  only 
been  practised  and  endured,  but  approved  and  com- 
mended. How  often  have  the  feelings  of  pious  and 
judicious  persons  been  vexed  and  grieved  even  in  the 


6 

house  of  God,  by  such  methods  of  singing  diviuc  songs, 
as  appeared  to  imply  the  utmost  contempt  of  what  is 
decent  and  devout  in  his  holy  presence  and  worship ! 
To  remove  such  evils,  a  correct  knowledge  of  the 
proper  design  and  performance  of  psalmody  is  neces- 
sary. They,  then,  who  would  have  the  praises  of 
God  sung  with  propriety,  should  be  zealous  and  faith- 
ful to  obtain  and  promote  the  true  knowledge  of  sa- 
cred music. 

S.  To  sing  the  praises  of  God  with  propriety,  it 
is  necessary  to  understand  and  regard  the  sentiments, 
that  are  expressed  in  sacred  songs.  Proper  singing 
is  a  more  perfect  expression  of  sentiment,  than  is 
proposed,  or  can  be  performed,  either  by  reading  or 
speaking  with  the  utmost  propriety.  But  if  a  person 
cannot  read  nor  speak  in  a  proper  manner,  without  a 
regard  to  the  sentiments  his  words  express,  the  sacred 
songs  of  solemn  praise  to  God  must  be  very  imper- 
fectly performed,  while  the  sentiments  they  express 
are  not  regarded  by  the  singers.  Yet  the  kind  of 
music  and  the  manner  of  performance,  which  have, 
for  many  years,  prevailed  in  this  country,  have  not 
the  least  regard  to  sentiment,  and  entirely  defeat  the 
important  design  of  singing  praises  unto  God.  But 
it  seems  to  be  ceitain  and  evident,  that  such  a  kind  of 
music  and  such  a  manner  of  singing,  as  have  no  re- 
gard to  sentiment,  must  be  improper  and  absurd. 
The  perfection  of  sacred  music  consists  in  the  proper 
expression  of  divine  sentiments  in  sacred  songs.  Un- 
less the  sentiments  of  sacred  songs  be  understood 
and  regarded  in  the  performance  of  psalmody,  the 
praises  of  God  are  not  sung  with  propriety.  The 
sentiments,   that   are  sung   in  our  sacred  songs  of 


'^  // 


praise^  arc  very  numerous  and  various.  They  are 
the  most  solemn,  sublime,  joyful  and  pathetic,  that 
can  awaken  the  attention  or  engai^c  the  affections  of 
human  beings.  Tiiese  sentiments  are  communicated 
to  us  from  God  himself  by  Moses  and  tlie  prophets, 
by  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  and  the  apostles.  They 
respect  the  eternal  perfections  and  purposes  of  the 
living  and  true  God ;  and  the  wonders  he  performs 
in  creation,  providence  and  redemption.  These  sen- 
timents demand  and  deserve  the  most  serious  and  af- 
fecting consideration.  And  unless  th«y  be  understood 
and  regarded  by  those  persons,  who  sing  praises  un- 
to God,  they  cannot  perform  this  pleasant  and  solemn 
service  with  propriety. 

^.  To  sing  the  praises  of  God  with  propriety,  it  is 
necessary,  that  the  affections   of  the  singers  should 
accord  with  the  sentiments  they  sing.     It  is  very  im- 
proper  to  have  a  discord  between  the  meaning  of  the 
words  and  the  tones  of  the  voice  in  sacred  sinerinE:. 
But,  if  in  psalmody  the   tones  of  the   voice  accord 
with  the  meaning  of  the  words,  yet  unless  the  heart 
be  filled  with  such  affections,  as  harmonize  with  the 
sentiments,  that  are  expressed  in  singing,  the  praises 
of  God  are  not  sung  in  such  a  manner,  as  he  most 
justly  requires.     Insincerity,  in  singing  sacred  songs, 
is  as  offensive  to  God  and  as  injurious  to  men,  as  it 
is  in   any  other  part  of  religious  worship.     To  use 
such  words,  as  express  holy  and   devout  affections, 
while  they  do  not  exist  in  the  heart,  is  not  so  good, 
so  pleasant,  or  so  comely,  as  that  gracious  sincerity, 
which  unites  the  heart  with  the  voice  in  the  solemn 
and  affecting  duties  of  devotion.     But  when  the  feel- 
ings of  the  heart  accord  with  the  tones  of  the  voice 


8 


and  the  tones  of  the   ^oice   accord  with  the  meaning 
of  the  words  in  psalmody ;  then  the  praises  of  God 
are  sung  with  the  highest  propriety.     Here  permit  me 
to  adopt  the  sentiments  and  expressions  of  an  excel- 
lent writer  on  this  subject.     "  Sacred  music  can  nev- 
er produce  its  highest  effect,   unless  it  be  performed 
with  gracious  sincerity.     There  ought  to  be  a  perfect 
concord  between  the  music^  the  words  and  the  heart. 
It  is  a  just  observation,  that  no  man  can  speak  well 
unless  he  feels  what  he  says.     And  it  is  equally  true^ 
that  no  man  can  sing  well^  unless  he  feels  what  he 
sings.     The  highest  graces  of  music  flow  from  the 
feelings  of  the  heart.     They,  who  sing  the  praises  of 
God,  must  possess  truly  sublime,  solemn,  tender  feel- 
ings,  in  order  to  fill  the  minds  of  a  religious  assem- 
bly with  similar   emotions  and  affections.     Besides 
Ave  are  to  consider  the  performance  of  sacred  music^ 
as  an  act  of  the  highest  homage  to  God.     So  the 
apostle  recommends  it  to  christians,  when  he  says 
^^  singing  and  making,  melody  in  your  heart  to  the 
Lord.^^— God  requires   those,  who  worsliip  him    to 
worship  him  in  spirit  and  in  truth.     Accordingly  'the 
apostle  resolved,  that  he  would  not   only  pray  with 
the  spirit,  but  also   sing  with  the  spirit.     And  all^ 
who  are  capable  of  singing  with  the  understanding^ 
are  under  peculiar  obligations  to  sing   with  the  spirit 
and  make  melody  in  their  hearts  to   the  Lord.     He 
looketh  on  the  heart  and  not  on  the  voice,  or  on   any 
outward  appearance.     He  cannot  be  deceived  and  he 
will  not   be  mocked  with  a  solemn  sound   upon  a 
thoughtless  tongue."-^— When  the  affections  of  the 

*  Dr.  Emanons. 


singers  are  truly  sincere  and  gracious,  then  it  is 
good  to  sing  praises  unto  God  ;  then  it  is  pleasant ; 
and  praise  is  comely.     It  is  now  proposed, 

II.  To  show  why  all  persons  ought  to  perform  the 
important  and  pleasant  duty  of  singing  praises  unto  *^ 
God. 

This  duty  is  enjoined  upon  all  persons  in  the  holy 
scriptures  without  any  exception.  And  it  has  always 
been,  by  the  people  of  God,  accounted  a  divine  or- 
dinance. Sacred  singing  was  an  important  service 
in  the  public  worship  of  God,  under  the  former  dis- 
pensation. The  Savior,  when  he  was  on  earth,  sanc- 
tioned tliis  duty  by  his  own  example.  For  he  sung 
an  hymn  with  his  disciples  at  the  institution  of  the 
Lord's  supper.  And  the  same  duty  is  enjoined  by 
the  apostles.  Paul  says  to  the  saints  at  Ephesus, 
^^be  filled  with  the  spirit;  speaking  to  yourselves  in 
psalms  and  hymns  and  spiritual  songs,  singing  and 
making  melody  in  your  heart  to  the  Lord.'^  And  to 
the  saints  at  Colosse  he  writes,  ^*  Let  the  word  of 
Christ  dwell  in  you  richly  in  all  wisdom,  teaching 
and  admonishing  one  another  in  psalms  and  hymns 
and  spiritual  songs^  singing  with  grace  in  your  hearts 
to  the  Lord.''  In  view  of  what  God  requires  in  his 
word,  it  appears  to  be  the  duty  of  all  persons  to  sing 
his  praises.  And  it  has  been  the  opinion  of  the  ablest 
and  best  divines  in  New-England,  as  well  as  in  oth- 
er christian  countries,  that  religious  congregations 
ought^  generally,  to  unite  in  this  part  of  divine  wor- 
ship. In  a  sermon  on  self-examination,  President 
Edwards  addressed  his  hearers  in  the  following 
manner;  ^' Do  you  not  live  in  sin,  in  living  i  neg- 
lect of  singing  God's  prniwpc^  Tf  ci?\ging  praises  to 


10 

God  be  an  ordinance  of  God's  public  worship,  as 
doubtless  it  is,  then  it  ought  to  be  performed  by  the 
whole  worshipping  assembly.  If  it  be  a  command^ 
that  we  worship  God  in  this  way,  then  all  ought  to 
obey  this  command,  not  only  by  joining  with  others 
in  singing,  but  in  singing  themselves.  For  if  we 
suppose  it  will  answer  the  command  of  God  for  us 
only  to  join  in  our  hearts  with  others,  it  will  run  us 
into  this  absurdity,  that  all  may  do  so;  and  then 
there  will  be  none  to  sing,  none  for  others  to  join 
with. — If  it  be  an  appointment  of  God,  that  christ- 
ian congregations  should  sing  praises  to  him,  then 
doubtless  it, is  the  dutv  of  all.  If  there  be  no  ex- 
ception  in  the  rule,  then  all  ought  to  comply  with  it, 
unless  they  are  incapable  of  it;  or  unless  it  would 
be  a  hindrance  to  the  other  work  of  God's  house,  as 
the  case  may  be  with  ministers,  who  sometimes  may 
be  in  great  need  of  that  respite  and  intermission  af- 
ter public  prayers,  to  recover  their  breath  and 
strength,  so  that  they  may  be  fit  to  speak  the  word. 
But  if  persons  be  not  now  capable,  because  they 
know  not  how  to  sing,  that  doth  not  excuse  them, 
unless  they  have  been  incapable  of  learning.  As  it 
is  the  command  of  God,  that  all  should  sing,  so  all 
should  make  conscience  of  learning  to  sing,  as  it  is 
a  thing,  which  cannot  be  decently  performed  at  all 
without  learning.  Those,  therefore,  who  neglect  tu 
learn  to  sing,  live  in  sin,  as  they  neglect  what  is 
necessary  in  order  to  their  attending  one  of  the  or- 
dinances of  God's  worship.  Not  only  should  per- 
sons make  conscience  of  learning  to  sing  themselves, 
but  parents  should  conscientiously  see  to  it,  that  their 
children  are  taught  this  among  other  things,  as  their 


11 

education  and  instruction  belong  to  them."  In  these 
observations  of  President  Kdw  ards  we  have  a  cor- 
rect statement  of  the  obligation,  which  lies  upon  all 
persons  to  sing  praises  unto  God  in  his  public  wor- 
ship. And  for  a  faithful  and  cheerful  performance 
of  this  duty  several  considerations  will  now  be  offer- 
ed. ^ 

1.  Singing  praises  to  God  is  the  most  direct  and 
powerful  method  of  filling  the  heart  with  religious 
sentiments.  In  this  duty  the  heart  is  immediately 
affected  and  turned  to  God.  And  wlien  the  heart  is 
raised  to  God,  all  the  objects,  that  are  seen  by  the 
light  of  divine  truth,  engage  the  affections  and  pro- 
duce the  most  distinct  and  permanent  impressions. 
The  reading  of  the  scriptures  and  the  preaching  of 
the  gospel  God  has  appointed  for  the  purpose  of  com- 
municating religious  knowledge  to  the  human  mind.- 
But  in  the  use  of  these  means  a  person  is  not  so  high- 
ly active  in  his  attention  to  divine  objects,  as  he  is  in 
singing  praises  unto  God.  What  is  sung  employs 
and  fills  the  heart  in  a  greater  degree  than  what  is 
read  or  preached.  It  is  a  common  practice  to  repeat, 
very  often,  what  a  person  wishes  to  impress  upon  his 
heart.  But  such  an  effect  is  produced  by  singing 
more  perfectly  than  in  any  other  way.  When  the 
apostle  had  said  to  christians,  "  let  the  word  of  Christ 
dwell  in  you  richly  in  all  wisdom,''  he  immediately 
adds,  as  the  best  method  of  obtaining  this  object, 
''  teaching  and  admonishing  one  another  in  psalms 
and  hymns  and  spiritual  songs,  singing  with  grace 
in  your  hearts  to  the  Lord."  In  singing  sacred  songs 
persons  are  active  in  instructing  themselves  and  fill- 
ing their  own  hearts  w  ith  divine  truth.     Serious  per 


IS 

sons  more  frequently  use  the  sentiments  they  learn 
in  singing  than  those  they  learn  in  reading  or  in  hear- 
ing religious  instruction.  In  our  songs  of  praise  to 
God  we  instruct  ourselves  and  fill  our  hearts  with  the 
sentiments,  that  are  given  to  us  in  the  scriptures  and 
taught  by  the  ministry  of  the  gospel.  Sacred  singing, 
therefore,  is  the  most  direct  and  powerful  method  of 
filling  the  heart  with  divine  truth.  Reading  and 
preaching  are  suited  to  inform  the  understanding  and 
convince  the  conscience  more  than  singing ;  but  they 
do  not  possess  so  great  a  degree  of  influence  in  turn- 
ing the  heart  to  divine  objects  and  filling  it  with  re- 
ligious sentiments.  It  is>  therefore,  as  much  the  du- 
ty of  every  person  to  sing  sacred  songs,  as  it  is  to  use 
the  best  means  to  fill  his  own  heart  or  the  hearts  of 
other  persons  with  the  instructions  of  the  gospel. 

%,  Singing  praises  to  God  has  a  direct  and  power- 
ful tendency  to  excite  and  maintain  the  exercise  of 
holy  affections.  Sacred  singing  enlivens,  enlarges 
and  purifies  the  moral  feelings  of  human  beings.  This 
duty  awakens  and  engages  the  affections  by  the  most 
excellent  and  amiable  objects.  It  arrests  and  fixes 
the  attention  upon  the  perfections,  the  purposes,  the 
exertions  and  enjoyments  of  the  living  and  true  God. 
In  view  of  his  greatness  and  goodness^,  holy  fear^ 
love,  ^ith,  hope,  joy  and  every  other  christian  grace 
is  excited,  increased  and  strengthened  in  the  hearts 
of  his  people.  Singing  praises  to  God  removes  vain 
thoughts,  worldly  cares  and  unholy  affections.  Pi- 
ous persons  often  find^  that  when  neither  reading  the 
scriptures,  nor  preaching  the  gospel;  nor  religious 
conversation,  nor  prayer,  will  engage  and  move  their 
iicarts,  yet  the  songs  of  Zion  will  produce  this  happy 


13 

eflPect.  Indeed  sacred  sin£;ing,  when  it  is  properly 
and  devoutly  performed,  is  better  suited  to  remove 
evil  feelings  and  to  excite  proper  afl'ections  than  any 
other  means  of  grace.  The  psalmist,  ^vho  was  hii;h- 
ly  distinguished  for  the  purity  and  ardency  of  his  ho- 
ly aflections,  was  doubtless  greatly  indebted  for  his 
spiritual  improvement  and  happiness  to  his  constancy 
and  fervency  in  singing  sacred  songs.  This  duty 
does,  in  a  peculiar  manner,  afl'ect  the  heart.  And  it 
has  a  direct  and  powerful  tendency  to  excite  and 
maintain  every  holy  and  devout  affection.  They, 
then,  who  would  use  the  best  means  to  promote  the 
highest  excellence  and  beauty  of  their  rational  exis- 
tence, are  bound  to  sing  praises  unto  God. 

3.  Psalmody  is  the  most  proper  method  of  express- 
ing and  increasing  spiritual  enj  oyments.  The  psalm- 
ist says  in  our  text^  ''  Praise  ye  the  Lord ;  for  it  is 
good  to  sing  praises  unto  our  God  ;  for  it  is  pleasant; 
and  praise  is  comely."  And  James  says,  ''  Is  any 
merry?  let  him  sing  psalms."  In  sacred  singing 
the  heart  is  fixed  upon  the  great  and  lovely  objects, 
that  afford  the  people  of  God  their  present  support, 
comfort  and  delight ;  and  ensure  their  future  and 
eternal  blessedness  and  glory.  In  this  duty  their 
weary  spirits  are  revived  amidst  all  their  troubles 
and  sorrows  on  earth.  The  psalmist  says  unto  God. 
^'  Thy  statutes  have  been  my  songs  in  the  house  of 
my  pilgrimage."  When  Paul  and  Silas  had  re- 
ceived many  stripes  and  were  cast  into  prison  and 
fastened  in  the  stocks,  they  not  only  expressed,  but 
increased  their  holy  comfort  and  joy  by  praying  and 
singing  praises  unto  God.  No  other  part  of  relig- 
ious worship  is  so  well  suited  to  express  and  promote 


14 

the  spiritual  communion  and  happiness  of  a  religious 
assembly  as  sacred  singing.  The  people  of  the  world 
express  and  increase  their  sinful  joys  by  profane 
songs.  But  sacred  music  affords  as  much  greater 
pleasure  than  profane  music  can  afford,  as  the  knowl- 
edge, service  and  favor  of  God  exceed  the  vain  and 
transient  pleasures  of  the  slaves  of  satan.  Sacred 
singing  is  the  most  perfect  expression  of  divine  and 
holy  delight ;  and  the  best  method  of  preserving  and 
increasing  the  enjoyments  of  religion.  And  on  this 
account  the  duty  of  singing  praises  to  God  ought  to 
be  performed  by  every  person. 

4.  The  proper  performance  of  psalmody  has  the 
most  happy  influence  upon  every  other  part  of  divine 
worship.  The  reading  of  the  scriptures  does,  in  a 
special  manner,  afford  instruction.  The  duty  of 
prayer  does,  in  a  special  manner,  afford  relief  and 
comfort.  The  preaching  of  the  gospel  does,  in  a 
special  manner,  produce  conviction  and  reformation. 
But  the  ordinance  of  sacred  singing  is  designed  and 
suited  to  produce  all  these  holy  and  happy  effects. 
It  instructs,  it  comforts  and  it  reforms  every  person, 
who  does,  in  a  proper  manner,  worship  God  in  the 
duty  of  singing  his  praises.  Besides,  a  greater  num- 
ber of  person  can,  in  a  higher  degree,  be  active  in 
performing  this  service  than  in  the  other  parts  of  di- 
vine worship.  Only  one  can,  at  the  same  time,  be 
active,  with  propriety,  in  reading  the  holy  scriptures, 
or  in  offering  prayers  unto  God,  or  in  preaching  the 
gospel  ill  religious  assemblies.  But  a  whole  assem- 
bly, however  numerous,  may,  at  once,  with  the  high- 
est propriety,  speak  to  themselves  in  psalms  and 
hymns  and  spiritual  songs  ;  singing  and  making  mel- 


^2  ,4 
15 

ody  in  their  hearts  to  the  Lord.  In  tliis  duty  the 
most  numerous  assembly  may^t  oncc.unite  in  the  wor- 
ship of  God  with  the  noblest  powers  of  the  human 
frame  and  the  noblest  efforts  of  their  immortal  spirits. 
Psalmody  assists  and  enlivens  every  other  part  of 
divine  worship.  And  it  has  the  most  happy  influence 
upon  the  services  and  enjoyments  of  the  Lord's-dtiy. 
If  any  part  of  divine  worship  be  important  and  pleas- 
ant, sacred  singing  is  to  be  most  highly  esteemed  and 
most  faitli fully  performed  by  all  persons.  This  ser- 
vice, as  the  psalmist  declares  in  our  text,  is  good  and 
pleasant  and  comely.  It  is,  therefore,  the  duty  of 
all  persons  to  sing  praises  unto  God.  And  this  duty 
is  urged  upon  every  person  by  the  most  powerful  and 
pleasant  motives. 

IMPROVEMENT. 

1.  If  sacred  singing  be  so  important  and  pleas- 
ant a  part  of  divine  worship  on  earth,  hence  we 
may  see  the  exceeding  greatness  of  the  glory,  which 
the  people  of  God  will  enjoy  in  heaven.  They  are 
represented,  iu  the  scriptures,  as  employed  in  singing 
praises  unto  God.  This  employment  will  be,  in  all 
respects,  the  best  service  they  can  perform.  And  this 
ecrvice  they  will  be  prepared  to  perform  with  the 
highest  propriety.  Their  bodies  will  have  been  rais- 
ed in  glory  and  be  fashioned  like  unto  the  glorious 
body  of  tlie  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  Their  minds  will 
be  free  from  error  and  their  hearts  will  be  free  from 
sin.  Their  outward  situation  will  be  perfectly  pleas- 
ant,  beautiful  and  glorious.  There  will  be  nothin***, 
that  can  in  the  least  distract  or  disturb  their  hoiy  and 


IS 

Joyful  affections.  ^  Their  society  will  be  exceedingly 
and  inconceivably  numerous.  And  they  will  experi- 
ence the  most  perfect  union  of  sentiment,  affection 
and  enjoyment.  The  theme  of  their  songs  and  praises 
will  be  the  clearest  and  fullest  expression  of  divine 
goodness  in  the  redemption  of  sinful  and  guilty  crea- 
tures. While  they  behold  the  glory  of  God  in  the 
face  of  Jesus  Christ,  they  will  be  filled  with  knowl- 
edge, love  and  joy.  Every  object  and  every  event 
in  the  universe  will  serve  to  promote  their  happiness 
and  to  elevate  and  enrapture  their  praises.  They  will 
enjoy  communion  with  their  God  and  Father  and 
with'  their  Lord  and  Savior  Jesus  Christ  through  the 
power  and  grace  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  Nothing,  then, 
can  ever  destroy,  or  lessen,  or  limit  the  future  glory 
of  the  righteous  in  heaven.  In  such  a  state  their  high- 
est and  noblest  employment  will  consist  in  singing 
praises  unto  God.  This  will,  probably,  be  the  only 
act  of  worship  and  communion,  in  which  they  can, 
at  once,  unite  with  all  their  powers.  In  this  divine 
employment  "  ten  thousand  times  ten  thousand  and 
thousands  of  thousands'^  will  unite  their  powerful 
and  pleasant  voices  and  express  the  pure,  ardent  and 
joyful  emotions  of  their  immortal  spirits.  Their 
voices,  their  sentiments  and  their  affections  will  be 
perfectly  harmonious.  Then,  indeed,  their  praises 
to  God  will  be  good  and  pleasant  and  comely.  But 
the  exceeding  greatness  of  their  glory  and  the  beauty 
and  blessedness  of  their  songs  of  praise  must  infinite- 
ly exceed  all  present  description  and  conception. 

S.  If  singing  praises  to  God  be  so  important  and 
pleasant  a  part  of  divine  worship,  then  we  may  see 
in  what  the  future  glory  of  the  church  on  earth  will 


17 

chiefly  consist.  It  will  chiefly  consist  in  being  pre- 
pared to  sing  praises  unto  God  with  propriety.  Un- 
til the  praises  of  God  are  sung  in  religious  congrega- 
tions with  decency  and  devotion  by  the  wliole  assem- 
bly he  is  not  worshiped  in  the  highest  beauty  of  ho- 
liness. The  worship  of  God  is  imperfect  and  defec- 
tive, so  far  as  there  is  a  failure  in  respect  to  the  duty 
of  singing  praises  to  his  great  and  holy  name.  This 
is  the  only  part  of  divine  worship,  in  which  a  numer- 
ous assembly,  or  any  number  of  persons,  can  at  once 
unite  with  their  hearts  and  voices.  Until  a  religious 
assembly  is  prepared  to  sing  praises  unto  God  with 
propriety,  they  are  not  prepared,  as  they  ought  to  be, 
for  the  other  duties  of  his  worship.  Prayers  ar«  of- 
fered with  languor  and  discordance  in  an  assembly, 
that  cannot  unite  in  offering  praises.  The  gospel  is 
preached  and  beared  with  little  effect,  when  the  heart 
is  not  moved  and  the  tongue  employed  in  singing  the 
high  praises  of  God.  But  how  fervent  and  prevalent 
would  be  the  prayers  of  an  assembly,  that  were  pre- 
pared to  sing  praises  unto  God  with  the  harmony  of 
numerous  voices  and  the  melody  of  lioly  love.  Haw 
sweet  to  the  ears  and  how  joyful  to  the  hearts  of  such 
an  assembly  would  be  the  glad  tidings  of  the  king- 
dom of  God.  When  the  church  shall  arise  from  her 
sackcloth  and  ashes  and  fill  the  earth  with  light  and 
love  and  peace,  then  the  praises  of  God  will  move 
every  heart  and  employ  every  tongue.  Then  there 
will  be,  in  no  religious  assembly,  however  numerous, 
one  silent  worshipper.  Simple,  decent  and  devout 
will  be  their  tunes  of  praise.  Their  voices  will  be 
sweet,  solemn,  delightful  and  harmonious.  And  they 
will  make  melody  in  their  hearts  to  the  Lord.  That 
3 


the  praises  of  God  may  be  so  performed  ow  earth, 
the  church  must  greatly  advance  in  knowledge,  holi- 
ness and  happiness.  And  in  these  respects  the  peo- 
ple of  God  will  certainly  advance,  even  on  earth, 
far  beyond  our  present  conception.  For  it  is  written, 
*'  the  knowledge  of  the  Lord  shall  cover  the  earth,  as 
the  waters  do  the  sea."  And  again,  ^^all  shall  know 
the  Lord  from  the  least  to  tlic  greatest."  All  nations 
shall  yet  know  and  praise  the  living  God.  By  faith 
we  may  now  behold  what  the  christian  poet  des- 
cribes— 

^  One  song  employ's  all  nations  ;  and  all  cry, 
'  Worthy  the  Lamb,  for  he  was  slain  for  us.' 
The  dwellers  in  the  vales  and  on  the  rocks 
Shout  t©  each  other ;  and  the  mountain  tops 
From  distant  mountains  catch  the  flying  joy  ; 
Till  nation  after  nation,  taught  the  strains, 
Earth  rolls  the  rapturous  hosannah  round." 

When  all  nations  shall  receive  the  gospel  In  its  pu- 
rity and  power  and  be  prepared  to  praise  the  Lord  and 
sing  to  the  honor  of  his  name,  then  the  church  on 
earth  will  appear  in  glory  and  beauty. 

8.  If  singing  praises  to  God  be  so  important  and 
pleasant  a  part  of  divine  worship  ;  and  if  all  persons 
ought  to  perform  this  duty ;  then  we  may  see  the  ve- 
ry imperfect  state  of  divine  worship  at  the  present 
time.  Very  small  is  the  number,  who  sing  praises  to 
God,  when  it  is  compared  with  the  whole  number, 
that  assemble  in  religious  congregations.  And  in 
many  congregations  the  praises  of  God  are  sung  with 
so  little  decency  and  devotion,  that  scarcely  any  good 
effect  is  produced  by  this  part  of  divine  service^  and 


19 

ill  some  congregations  this  solemn  and  pleasant  duty 
is  entirely  perverted  and  profaned.  Tlic  profes- 
sors of  religion,  generally,  take  no  part  in  this  ser- 
vice ;  nor  do  tliey  imagine,  that  by  such  neglect  they 
dishonor  their  profession,  or  injure  religion,  or  dis- 
please God.  Rarely  does  any  church,  as  a  body, 
take  the  subject  of  singing  praises  to  God  into  their 
consideration  ;  or  do  any  thing  to  maintain  and  pro- 
mote this  part  of  divine  worship.  At  the  table  of  the 
Lord  few  arc  the  communicants,  who  have  any  part 
orlotinthis  matter.  Nor  do  the  ministers  of  the 
gospel  often  explain  and  enforce  upon  their  hearers 
this  important  and  pleasant  duty.  How  little  of  the 
highest  and  noblest  employment  in  heaven  is  yet  seen 
in  the  church  on  earth.  When  God  is  not  truly  prais- 
ed in  sacred  songs,  but  little  of  what  is  good,  pleas- 
ant and  comely  can  be  found  in  religious  worship. 
When  shall  we  see,  in  the  house  of  God,  on  his  holy 
and  blessed  day,  his  professed  worshippers  engaged 
io  give  unto  him  with  their  hearts  and  voices  the 
praise  and  glory,  which  are  due  to  his  great  and  ho- 
ly name  ? 

'i.  If  singing  praises  to  God  with  propriety  be  the 
duty  of  all  persons,  then  there  is  great  need  of  a 
general  reformation  respecting  this  important  subject. 
Moral  evil  has  a  blinding  influence.  And  when  it 
lias  arisen  to  a  great  height,  its  existence  is  not  seen 
and  felt  by  the  subjects  of  it.  Ministers,  churches 
and  religious  rongregations  have  been  lulled  into  a 
deep  and  dreadful  slumber  in  respect  to  the  diyine 
ordinance  of  psalmody.  But  it  is  now  seen  and  felt 
by  judicious  and  pious  people,  very  extensively, 
that  the  duty  of  sacred  singing  has  been  greatly  neg- 


£0 

lected  and  perverted.  And  the  more  the  subject  is 
considered,  the  more  necessary  and  important  does  it 
appear,  that  in  this  part  of  divine  w^orship  there  should 
be  a  general  reformation.  Ought  not  ministers,  as 
the  servants  of  God,  to  declare  what  he  requires  and 
what  religious  congregations  are  bound  to  perform  in 
respect  to  this  subject?  Should  not  churches  be  zeal- 
ous and  faithful  to  establish  and  maintain  this  part  of 
divine  worship?  Ought  not  families  to  honor  God  in 
their  houses  by  singing  his  praises  ?  Ought  not  chil- 
dren to  be  taught  to  praise  God  in  sacred  songs  with 
their  lively  spirits  and  cheerful  and  pleasant  voices  ? 
— And  ought  any  persons,  when  they  are  settled  in 
life,  or  as  soon  as  they  advance  a  little  into  years,  to 
withdraw  their  example  and  their  influence  from  the 
important  service  of  singing  praises  to  God  in  his 
public  worship  ? — This  improper  and  sinful  conduct 
kas  been  an  extensive  and  pernicious  evil  in  respect 
to  psalmody  in  our  religious  congregations.  Every 
person  ought  to  feel  a  deep  and  solemn  interest  in  the 
great  duty  of  singing  praises  to  God.  In  public  wor- 
ship the  whole  assembly  ought  to  be  filled  with  the 
spirit  of  devotiou  and  to  speak  to  themselves  in  psalms 
and  hymns  and  spiritual  songs,  singing  and  making 
melody  in  their  hearts  to  the  Lord.  If  religious  con- 
gregations ought  to  sing  praises  unto  God  with  pro- 
priety, decency  and  devotion,  then  there  is  great  need 
of  a  very  general  reformation  in  respect  to  this  sub- 
ject. 

5.  If  singing  praises  to  God  be  so  important  and 
so  pleasant,  then  there  is  reason  to  regard  with  grati- 
tude whatever  is  favorable  in  respect  to  this  duty. 
An  extensive  and  successful  effort    to  promote  the 


^// 


proper  performance  of  psalmody  has  becu  made  in 
!New-Engkiid  within  a  few  years.     At  first  here  and 
there  a  single   person  was  engaged  in  respect  to  this 
object.     And  by  their  exertions  some  little  inipres- 
fiion  was  madt  against  the  torrent  of  erroneous  opin- 
ions and  evil  practices,  that  had  spread  over  the  land 
and  swept  decency  and  devotion  from  our  religious 
assemblies.     At  the  present  time  several  numerous 
and  extensive  societies   are  formed  and    engaged  to 
promote  the  decent  and  devout  performance  of  psal- 
mody.    A  society  for  this  purpose  has  been  estab- 
lished in  this  county  and  has  commenced  its  opera- 
tions with  a  pleasing  prospect  of  success.     Very  late- 
ly the  waters  of  life  in  respect  to  sacred  music  have 
been  flowing  into  this  part  of  the  county  and  begin 
to  animate  and  purify  our  religious  assemblies.     It 
is  now  to  be  devoutly  desired,   that  the  spirit  of  at- 
tention and  improvement  may  pervade  every  parish 
and  unite  the  whole  county  in  the  important  object  of 
promoting  sacred  music.     This   is  the  object   of  the 
Norfolk  Musical  Society,  and  they  call  upon  every 
parish  to   unite  and  assist  in  their   exertions.     The 
plan  of  union  is  simple  and  easy.     Should  this  plan 
excite  proper  attention  and  receive  deserved  encour- 
agement, the  psalmody  in  our  congregations  may  soon 
be  raised  to  a  degree  of  excellence,  of  which  we  have 
at  present  no  conception.     In  this  important  object 
it  it  hoped   and  believed,    that  the  singers  in  this 
Parish  will  not  be  contented  with  a  low  station.  They 
can,  if  tlicy  please,  stand  among  the  foremost  ranks 
of  the  county  in  the   good  and   pleasant  and  comely 
duty  of  singing  praises  unto  God.     Their  recent  ex- 
ertions and  proficiency  have  laid  a  foundation  for  con- 
3^- 


stant  and  permanent  improvement.  Nothing  now  is 
requisite  but  attention^  union^  firmness  and  zeal  in 
order  to  their  singing  the  praises  of  God  with  increas- 
ing propriety.  Let  the  singers,  then,  who  are  now 
present,  consecrate  themselves,  sincerely  and  cheer- 
fully, to  the  service  of  God  in  the  duty  of  singing  his 
praises.  And  may  they  be  so  attended,  by  the  spir- 
it and  blessing  of  God ;  while  engaged  in  his  wor- 
ship  on  earth,  that  they  may  be  prepared  to  unite 
with  his  redeemed  people  in  the  perfect  and  endless 
siongs  of  heaven.    Amen. 


1 


''•mm 


^-'»'j 


